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August 2 ‘kap’ ritual heralds Sacred Dalada Perahera
The world famous Buddhist cultural festival, the Sri Dalada Perahera, held in honour of the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha, will begin this year as is customary with the ritual of planting of a post, known as ‘kap’, seeking the blessings and protection of four deities on Friday, August 2, the lay custodian has announced.
The ritual, using usually a part of a jak tree, cut into four pieces, is performed by lay priests.
The Diyawadana Nilame, Pradeep Nilanga Dela, said the ritual will take place in the four abodes, or devalaya, of Natha, Katharagama, Vishnu and Paththini in Kandy, the last royal seat of the majority Sinhala Buddhists of Sri Lanka.
The Sri Dalada Perahera will begin on August 5 with the Kumbal Perahera, which will continue until August 9. The Randoli Perahera will begin the following day and continue until August 14.
The final procession of the glorious Buddhist cultural spectacle would be held on August 14.
And this would be followed by the Getambe river bank water-cutting ceremony, or the diya kapum mangalyaya, in the morning. It is also performed by a lay priest.
The final day perahera would be held on August 15, starting from Adahana Maluwa on D.S. Senanayake Veediya.
But before this cultural highlight is enacted, Kandy’s roads need to be fixed, the police told a meeting held to discuss preparations.
Senior Superintendent of Police, M.N. Sisira Kumara, said an incomplete waste water project is posing risks on Dalada Veediya to Yatinuwara Veediya.
A representative of the contractors admitted the work is incomplete and that it would be discussed with the Kandy Municipality.
Public transport issues were also discussed. The basnayake nilame of Kataragama Devalaya, said that while state buses were aplenty, private operators had been found wanting.
Another meeting would be called in the first week of July.